Guilford Career Advancement Program

Advance Your Career with Guilford's New Professional Certificate Programs

Guilford College has launched three dynamic professional certificate programs through the Guilford Career Advancement Program (GCAP) — a new initiative designed to equip adult learners with practical, career-relevant skills grounded in ethical leadership, community engagement, and real-world application.

These 10-week programs are ideal for working professionals, career changers, and mission-driven leaders seeking to grow with purpose. Each certificate blends foundational and advanced content, flexible online delivery or online with the option of in-person attendance, and a stackable credential model that awards digital badges for each completed two-week module.

Adaptive & Resilient Leadership in Public Services

Lead with strength, navigate change, and build resilient teams in public-serving professions.

Designed for educators, administrators, and public safety professionals, this certificate builds the strategic, inclusive, and crisis-ready leadership skills needed to thrive in today’s complex environments. Participants learn to foster resilient teams, lead through uncertainty, and drive innovation with a strong social impact lens.

About the Instructor: M. Brad Stewart, Ed.D. is a seasoned educator, law enforcement professional, and leadership expert with over two decades of experience in public administration, policing, and academia. Within his leadership development courses, he specializes in developing and teaching adaptive and authentic leadership, building high-performance teams, and resilience. Brad integrates real-world experience with evidence-based strategies to equip leaders with the skills necessary to navigate complex challenges, drive meaningful change, engage collaboration, and build high-performing teams.

Adaptive & Resilient Leadership in Public Services

Transformative & Sustainable Business Practices

Drive inclusive economic growth and champion ethical, community-centered innovation.

This program empowers professionals in business, government, and nonprofits to advance economic equity and drive community-based change. Learn to analyze systemic disparities, implement inclusive development strategies, and champion sustainability through ethical and impactful business practices.

About the Instructor: Ashley Raper, MBA with PhD in Business Administration in progress, has a strong background in economic inclusion and strategic management. She serves as an instructor for both undergraduate and graduate business and entrepreneurship courses focusing on empowering students with transformative business practices. Previously, Ashley directed the Guilford Dialogues, an initiative centered on economic inclusion, aligning with the principles of equitable economic development. Ashley is committed to guiding professionals in developing skills that drive financial equity and community wealth-building through transformative and inclusive strategies.

Transformative & Sustainable Business Practices

Cybersecurity Basics

Protect digital assets and build a strong foundation for a career in cybersecurity.

Ideal for those entering the tech field or seeking to expand their digital fluency, this certificate provides a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles. Gain hands-on skills in threat detection, network security, and incident response to protect digital assets in a high-demand industry.

About the Instructor: Isaac Magana, Master’s in Information Technology, has more than 10 years of experience in technology services, project, and cyber security management. He serves as Guilford’s Senior Client Support Specialist and teaches courses at Guilford in the Computing Technology and Information Systems program for the Cyber and Network Security major. His real-world experience managing and resolving major cyber security threats and attacks is reflected in the design of his curriculum.

Program Details

Format: Fully online or hybrid (online + in-person options available)
Duration: 10 weeks
Cost: $1,600 per certificate
Credentialing: Stackable digital badges leading to a full certificate upon completion of all modules

Join the growing number of professionals choosing Guilford for meaningful, values-driven career advancement.

Registration is open now

For questions or more information, contact Samantha Massey ’13 at rummagesl@guilford.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Guilford’s certification programs?

Guilford’s certification programs are short-term, skills-focused learning experiences designed for working professionals, career changers, students, and community members. Each program focuses on high-demand fields while integrating Guilford’s unique approach to ethical leadership, community engagement, and reflective learning.

Who are these programs for?

These programs are ideal for:

Working professionals looking to upskill
Individuals exploring new career pathways
Educators, nonprofit leaders, public service workers, and entrepreneurs
Students and recent graduates seeking specialized training

Do I need prior experience to participate in a certificate program?

No prior experience is required for most of our programs. However, some certificate programs may benefit from a background in related fields. Each program description outlines the recommended qualifications, and our team is happy to guide you in choosing the right program for your background.

What is the duration of each certificate program?

Each certificate program is 10 weeks long and consists of five two-week instructional blocks. Upon completion, participants earn a full certificate for earning five digital badges representing their learning achievements.

Are these programs online or in-person?

The delivery method will depend upon the instructor and program design. Most of our certificate programs are offered in online asynchronous or HyFlex (simultaneous online synchronous and in-person) modality, allowing for flexible participation.

Who are Guilford’s certificate program instructors?

Certificate programs are taught by Guilford faculty and other seasoned professional partners with seasoned, real-world experience in their fields. Instructors are selected for both their subject matter expertise and their commitment to community-centered, ethical learning.

How much do the certificate programs cost?

Tuition is $1,600 per certificate. This includes all instructional materials and digital credentials.

What will I earn when I complete a certificate?

You’ll earn a Guilford College Certificate of Completion in the specified area and a set of digital badges that you can display on LinkedIn, digital resumes, or ePortfolios to showcase your skills.

Do these certificates count toward a degree?

Not currently—but the Guilford is exploring ways to stack these certificates into academic credit for future degrees and continuing education pathways.

Can my employer pay for this program?

Yes! Many employers offer professional development funding or tuition reimbursement. We can provide documentation if needed and are happy to work with organizations to sponsor employees.

Who can I contact for more information?

You can reach out to Sammie Rummage-Massey at rummagesl@guilford.edu with any questions about the programs, registration, or program details.

Will I receive support during the program?

Yes! Our certificate programs include support from their instructors, who are available for questions, discussion, and feedback throughout the program.

Can I take individual modules or must I complete the full certificate?

Our programs are intentionally designed for you to complete the full certificate. The modules are part of a larger pathway to the full certificate and are not individually available.

Can I transfer credits or use these certificates for other educational opportunities?

Currently, these certificates are not designed for academic credit transfer, but we are actively working on partnerships that may allow for this in the future. Certificates can, however, be a valuable addition to your resume, LinkedIn profile, and professional portfolio.

What are the benefits of completing the program?

You'll gain resume-ready credentials, digital badges to showcase your skills, and practical knowledge you can apply immediately in your field. Plus, you’ll build connections and grow as a purpose-driven, reflective leader—all in a flexible, accessible format.

What kind of recognition will my digital badges receive?

Digital badges are a recognized way to showcase your skills and can be shared across professional networks like LinkedIn. Many employers value these credentials as proof of specific expertise, and they can enhance your resume, helping you stand out in a competitive job market.

Are these programs accredited?

Guilford College is a SACS-COC (Southern Association of College and Schools - Commission on Colleges) accredited institution. These certificate programs are non-credit bearing continuing education offerings, backed by Guilford’s academic rigor and commitment to high-quality, GCAPvalues-based learning.